Hello.
Thank you for having me today. I am here as the newly minted executive director for the CBDC in Summerside. The CBDC is part of the national community futures program, and I'm here to raise awareness of our need for more resources to better serve the needs of businesses in rural Canada.
There are 267 active CFOs in Canada. This represents a total annual CED funding request of $13.35 million, and $66.75 million over five years. We feel that these funds should be allocated on a regional basis as follows: western Canada, $4.5 million; Ontario, $3 million; Quebec, $3.35 million; Atlantic Canada, $2 million; and the north, $400,000.
The funding we get here impacts businesses in rural Canada tremendously. We have enjoyed many successes. Some of them are Twin Shores, which used our money and services to expand accommodations; Myers Welding in Tignish; and the Community Inclusions folks, who fund social enterprise that supports people with intellectual difficulties.
These funds and resources result in increased revenue and employment opportunities, and they're just good business. We broaden the tax base, and we give people jobs and encourage them to pursue things that they maybe never thought they would do.
Thank you so much for your time.